Alabama's Rhyan White Completes 4-Year SEC Domination in 100 Backstroke
COLLEGE-STATION, Texas – Rhyan White made history on day four of the Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, while the Alabama Crimson Tide tallied two gold medals, a bronze and broke one of its oldest school records Friday night.
White became the first swimmer to win four SEC women’s 100 backstroke titles, doing so with a time of 50.92 at the Texas A&M facility.
She also joined with Avery Wiseman, Emily Jones and Kalia Antoniou to the Crimson Tide’s second-consecutive SEC title in the 400 medley relay (3:28.46). Wiseman also brought home bronze in the 100 breaststroke (58.71) for the second straight year.
On the men’s side, Mateo Miceli broke the oldest men’s school record on the books, downing Stefan Gherghel’s 2003 mark in the 200 butterfly with a 1:42.02, on the way to a fifth-place finish.
“We had a really strong day today," Crimson Tide coach Margo Geer said. "Seeing a sophomore step up and break the oldest school record on the books started us off on a great note tonight. "Rhyan winning her fourth consecutive 100 back title was historic and was an awesome moment for our team. Having five girls make finals in the 100 breast, especially with the amount of points they scored was huge. The men followed that up with four in finals of the 100 breast, for another big chunk of points and that was great to see as well.
"Closing the night with a gutsy win in the women’s 400 medley relay made a statement and was a great way to end the night. We’re excited to carry our speed into tomorrow and close the meet as strong as possible.”
Alabama closed the fourth day with the women in sixth place with 577.5 points, while the men were seventh with 464 points.
Crimson Tide Highlights
- Rhyan White, Avery Wiseman, Emily Jones and Kalia Antoniou won gold in the women's 400 medley relay as they recorded a 3:28.46, giving the Tide back-to-back titles in the event
- White and Jones placed first (50.92) and 18th (52.36), respectively in the women’s 100 backstroke
- With her win, White became the first woman in SEC history to win the 100 backstroke in four consecutive seasons
- Jones’ times ranks her second, all-time, in Alabama history in the women’s 100 backstroke behind White
- Alabama placed five swimmers in the women’s 100 breaststroke, with Avery Wiseman leading the charge, taking the bronze medal in 58.71
- In addition to Wiseman’s bronze, Diana Petkova, Cat Wright, Jocelyn Fisher and Kasia Norman took eighth (59.92), ninth (59.23), 12th (59.61) and 17th (59.95), respectively
- The women’s breaststroke contingent combined to score 93 points for UA, with each swimmer posting a time within Alabama’s all-time top 10 list
- Matt Menke and Eric Stelmar finished 5th (45.51) and 21st (46.81), respectively, in the men’s 100 backstroke
- Mateo Miceli placed fifth in the men’s 200 butterfly (1:42.02), breaking the previous school record, set in 2003 by two-time NCAA 200 butterfly champion Stefan Gherghel, in the process
- In addition to Miceli’s school-record, Will Watson took 19th in the 200 butterfly, clocking a 1:44.66 for a new career-best time which ranks him 10th all-time at UA in the event
- Derek Maas, Linus Kahl, Trey Sheils and Michael Deans placed fifth (51.82), 14th (52.78), 17th (52.82) and 22nd (53.78), respectively in the men’s 100 breaststroke, scoring a combined 50 points for the Crimson Tide
The championships conclude Saturday.
See Also:
Kensey McMahon's Alabama Swimming Career Defined by Patience
